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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-22 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2023 The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, March 22, 2023, with the following members present: David S. Keller, John T. Flannery and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Chairman Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day. The meeting was live streamed. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Valerie Jordan from Fayetteville provided public comment concerning the Commissioners opposing the 676 apartment complex. She read the section out of Greene -Density Residential District (R-1)-Density Residential District (R-1) ranging from retirement communities, animal husbandry, surface mining, solar field conversion systems and including garden apartments. She feels that the develope now sitting on former farmland so when her political party says they want to save farmland well up land, and if they are, they got the permission from the zoning boards in order to do it. Someone said it is a local decision. She is going to visit Guilford Township because they do not have their code book or their budget online and she has the right to see that on their website. She is going to give this letter to Dean Horst since he is running for Commissioner too and tell him to take it to the Republican Committee to get these townships to look at their antiquated ordinances. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid. The minutes of the March 15, 2023 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the minutes. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller asked for more information on item #3, purchase of one pair of G.L.O.V.E. which is an electronic device incorporated into a glove for purposes of maintaining safety and security at the Jail. Warden Chris Schell attended virtually and said that this is a grant through PCCD for a piece of equipment that generates low output voltage transmitter which is a deescalating device to use Association of PA Risk Management training. They purchased 20 pairs of gloves for county jails to receive th that is activated once skin is touched then a small electrical pulse goes through their body that ue that will help them achieve their objective. Franklin County Jail tries to minimize the amount of force used. Commissioner Ziobrowski mentioned that Mr. Thierwechter sent a video to the Commissioners documenting the use of the glove. They got a good i not dangerous. What would this be used in place of, a taser? The Warden responded that yes with a taser if an individual is in a cell or hallway when they hit someone with a taser there is the possibility someone can fall and hit their head. This will be a controlled technique in close proximity that will prevent people from falling and they can put them to the ground much safer. He said they have used this in Centre County and throughout the state. A taser will always be on their use of force continuum. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked when it was used in Centre County or other counties were there any negative outcomes or perceived outcomes in use of this tool. The Warden responded no and neither has any facility that uses them. Once they use Continued on page 2 Chairman Keller said this appears to be a pilot project so we will try them out and if the pilot is successful what is the plan for providing gloves to the rest of the facility. The Warden responded that he will put a policy together and will present and will show the gloves at the next prison board meeting and then start a 30-60 day trial period then he may ask the county to buy more. The items will be decided upon in the afternoon session. The Board reviewed Personnel matters. Ms. Gray explained that this job description is being reviewed after looking at the needs of the department when a position is vacated. They are looking to change it from a Community Planner III to a Community Planner without the step designation and reduce some of the requirements with respect to both education and experience. There is no change to the grade at this time. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the revised job description for the Community Planner position. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 11:21 a.m. for the purpose of reviewing pending litigation matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to reconvene into regular session at 11:35 p.m. No action was required after the executive session. The Board recessed and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. for final approval of the items that were reviewed. The Board reconvened at 2:00 p.m. There was no public comment. The Board reviewed Aging Office matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from Baers Sign Service, LLC to provide for one (1) square steel pole and arm support with installation into a new footer at the Mont Alto Senior Activity Center and one (1) PVC two- sided sign with installation on existing pole at the Path Valley Senior Activity Center for a total cost of $1,555.00. Disregard the statement for a 50% deposit; attached documentation states no deposit is required as a purchase order number will suffice. The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the County of Franklin and Beidel Printing House, Inc. for printing, binding and delivery to the County of ballots to be used at the May Municipal Primary and the November Municipal Election at a cost of $54,093.00. This was bid and Beidel was approved as the lowest qualified bidder at the March 8, 2023 Commissioners Meeting. The Board reviewed Grants matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the 2022-2023 PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program Application requesting a grant in the amount of $1,495.00 to be used for the purchase of one pair of G.L.O.V.E. which is an electronic device (EDC) incorporated into the palm area of a pair of gloves. This grant is for the grant period of June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023. The Franklin County Jail takes all reasonable steps to manage the facility in ways that minimize situations that require the use of force by staff against inmates and minimize the amount of force that is used in those situations. The implementation of the G.L.O.V.E will promote the physical safety of the facility, employees and the inmates they supervise without compromising safety and security of the facility. The purpose of the G.L.O.V.E is not to discourage employees from using force when it is necessary, but to assist them in acting and utilizing the least amount of force when confronted with a situation requiring the use of force. Continued on page 3 The Board reviewed Planning Department matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the Work Order Supplement Authorization to provide a 10-task scope of services that will result in an updated Long-Range Transportation Plan. In order to give greater public access to the plan and to be consistent with the prescribed activities outlined by the Franklin County Metropolitan Planning Organization Public Participation Plan, this Work Order Supplement adds delivery of the plan formatted in HTML at project closeout. The supplemental task does not result in a cost increase from the original Work Order. Payment per the terms of the original work order terms will be based on the firm fixed price of $180,000 and will not exceed that amount, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by both parties. The meeting was adjourned at 2:06 p.m. with a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski